Day 53, Summer in Asia, Yangon, Myanmar
We’ve been dodging the rain since we got here, trying to time when we should go to the main event of Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda. We’re staying next to a monastery that’s a few minutes from this famous stupa also known as the Great Dagon Pagoda (without an “r”). It’s 99 meters tall and because it sits on Singuttara hill, it can be seen from all around the city. If the legend is correct, this structure was built 2,600 years ago, making it the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world. The stupa is said to house four significant relics, including 8 hairs from the Buddha.
Of all the stupas we’ve seen, and we’ve seen a bunch, this one really is the most impressive. Here was one of the four entrances leading to the stupa.
When we arrived at the stupa, Paul was given a longyi to cover his knees. The woman put it on him and tied it, since we would have had no idea how to get that done.
The buildings surrounding the stupa are an added bonus. Most Burmese are Theravada Buddhists and follow many rituals of Hindu astrology. It is important to know which day of the week you were born in order to worship at the proper planetary post. There are a total of eight. If you were born on a Wednesday, you’ll need to know when, since that day is divided into two parts.
We were nearly finished walking around the stupa when a fierce storm blew in. But it changed directions last minute so all we got were some foreboding clouds and only a sprinkle of rain. We managed to scurry back to the hotel before it poured.
